The Pulse

What to Expect When You're Expecting

Posted: December 17, 2016

What to expect when you're expecting. If you've ever had a child or known someone who's had a child, I'm sure you've heard of this book. It's a popular book that was eventually made into a movie about the months that make up the time between when you find out you're pregnant and when your child is born. It's a great self-help book that can help you prepare for the arrival of your new wee-little-babe.

I remember how I felt before my each of my daughters was born. I frequently rode on what you would call the "emotional roller coaster" that ranged from excitement and elation to fear and panic. Especially heading into that second one, because, wait -- we gotta start over???

Thankfully we had this handy little book that I mentioned above, and while it wasn't perfect, it was extremely helpful. When it was time to be parents (and parents again), we felt as ready as we would ever be.

Have you ever thought about what Mary was expecting when she found out she was expecting? I sometimes laugh at the exchange between her and the angel because, if I saw an angel that told me something as crazy as "you're going to birth God's Son" I feel like, even though my mouth might utter the words "OK" my face would be calling the angel a liar. That would be me anyway, but somehow Mary believed this guy and sure enough, she mothered our Savior.

[Side note: It is absolutely crazy to me that Jesus surrendered himself to God and stepped off his throne and into a barn. He stepped out of the royalty of heaven and onto earth, (his footstool mind you - Isaiah 66:1). He set aside the abundance of worship for him in heaven and picked up the broken, sinful and selfish humanity of earth. That. Is. CRAZY. Would you do that for a bunch of people you don't even know that don't like you anyway?]

I digress... Probably more than anything, Mary expected most the joy that would come in sharing God's Son. Mary's expectations were high. Not just for the birth. Not just for meeting her son or because some book helped her get her ready for it.

No, Mary's expectations were of the utmost, because she knew that from conception to birth, she was experiencing the miraculous power of God. And she knew that the miraculous power of God would continue to be visible every time she locked eyes with her son and every time she watched him do the impossible.And Mary knew that every second that followed her son's birth were the seconds leading up to his saving the world.

Today I want to you to consider something. Consider that maybe, just maybe, there is a miracle that our all-powerful God is expectantly eager to perform in your life. Yes. THAT need. That God-sized need that just popped in your head... yes, that one. You think it is impossible, but then, wasn't every miracle in the Bible impossible?

God's Word is the handiest book you will ever read. It's perfect in all it's ways and holds an abundance of promises... life, salvation, healing, provision, restoration, reconciliation, hope, joy, peace, grace, mercy, heaven, and most importantly, love.

God is a God of impossible miracles. The need may be big, but God is able. So let me ask you, what are you expecting of God this Christmas?